Fountain supplied sponge cleaning implement



vMaly 14, 1-963 R. L. B. HEss 3,089,181

FOUNTAIN SUPPLIED SPONGE CLEANING IMPLEMENT Filed Feb. 28, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Robert L.B.Hess

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May 14, 1963 R. l.. B. HEss 3,089,131

FOUNTAIN SUPPLIED SPONGE CLEANING IMPLEMENT Filed Feb. 28, 62 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fl 6.11. Z

INVENTOR Robert L.B.Hess

BY A. r

A OlEeY United States Patent Gti-ice 3,039,18l Patented May 14, 1963 3,089,181 FUNTAIN SUPPLIED SIGNGE CLEANING IMPLEMENT Robert L. B. Hess, 407 SE. 9th St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Filed Feb. Z, 1962, Ser. No. 176,326 6 Claims. (Cl. 15-526) This invention relates to cleaning or scrubbing implements, and more particularly to a type that is provided with a swab composed of sponge or similar `absorbent and porous material mounted on -a spray head into which ilows of washing water and/ r soap or detergent are directed to reach and saturate the sponge and be directed to the surface being cleaned.

It is an object of the invention to provide an implement of this character which can be conveniently handled and used for cleaning or scrubbing purposes; in which the flow of washing water and soap or detergent can be separately controlled and used as needed during the cleaning operation, and with which the swab or sponge can be easily replaced when worn.

It is an object of the invention to provide `an implement of this type which will be highly effective for many cleaning purposes, such as for cleaning automobiles, Windows, oors and walls or other surfaces, and which as a result will be found exceedingly useful about the home, garage or factory.

More particularly, the invention contemplates the provision of a cleaning head on which a removable swab, such as a block of sponge or other soft, absorbent :and porous material is mounted, and with the provision of a dual passage hose connected to a spray tube located between the under side of the head and the sponge; with separate outlets being provided for water and soap or detergent, and with the provision of means by which the water and the soap or detergent will be separately delivered through the passages of the hose and through the outlets to reach the sponge.

With these and other objects to be hereinafter set forth in View, I have devised the arrangement of parts to be described and more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein an illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown,

FIG. 1 is a side elevational View of a cleaning or scrubbing implement constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the head of the implement;

FIG. 3 is a top plan View of the swab or cleaning sponge;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4 4 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional View through a portion of a swab or sponge of a modified construction;

FIG. 6 is `a View showing a lengthy handle for use on the implement;

FIG. 7 is a face view of the head, the swab and parts associated therewith;

FIG. 8 is a view looking at the under side of the head, with some parts shown in section;

FIG. 9 shows the back face of the head in a reduced scale;

FIG. l0 shows one of the clips used -for the `attachment of the U-shaped handle, and

FIG. ll is a sectional View, taken substantially on the line 11-11 of FIG. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the body of the spray head which, in the form shown, consists of `a relatively ilat and shallow box or tray provided with -a substantially rectangular top plate 2 provided at its perimeter with a downturned flange or skirt 3. The head can be composed of rust-resistant metal or of plastic.

Mounted on the under face of the head 1 and supported at one end Iby a strap 13 secured by the rivets 14 to the plate 2, and extending centrally and longitudinally of the head, is a water spray tube 4 provided with a spraying head 5 having a row of Ispray holes 6. The spray head 5 is in communication with the passage 7 through the tube 4 whereby water forced through the tube 4 will be sprayed out of the holes 6 to reach -a swab 8 for which the head 1 forms a cap.

The spray tube 4 is mounted through the flange or skirt 3 and held by means of .a ring 9, and a portion of the tube 4 projects to the outside of the -skirt or flange 3 in the form of a nipple 10 that is fitted in the end of a ilexible tube or hose 11 and held thereto by means of a clamp 12. The hose may be of any suitable length to permit of easy handling.

Extending alongside and parallel to the water spray tube 4 is a soap or detergent supply tube 15 which, `at its outer end, connects into a spray opening 16 which, as shown in FIG. 2, may be canted -or inclined slightly toward the rear of the head 1. At its opposite end, the soap tube 1S is mounted in the ring 9 and it has a part 17 disposed on the outside of the 'head 1 to enter into a flexible tube or hose 18. The tube 11 and that shown at 18 are preferably, although not necessarily, made integrally or at least maintained together within a single outer sheath or covering so that they present the aspect of a single hose but actually provide separate conduits. The conduit or passage 11 provides for a iiow of clear water from `a source of supply, and that shown at 18 provides for a How of liquid soap or detergent when needed.

At its end remote from the head 1, the tube or hose 11 is connected by a suitable coupling or plug 19 to a ilexible or compressible sleeve 20 terminating in a hose coupling 21 by which it can be connected to the threaded ferrule normally provided at the end of a garden hose. Located inside of the sleeve 2t) is a valve 22 which is normally held closed by the water pressure from the hose to which the sleeve is attached. When the sleeve 20 is manually ilexed, the valve 22 will be tilted fromits seat -and the water will flow through the sleeve 20, through hose 11, through the `water spray tube 7 and out of the spray holes 6 to reach land saturate the sponge 8.

The means for supplying liquid soap or detergent to the sponge is shown in FIG. 1 and the same as therein shown consists of a bottle 23, preferably of the plastic or unbreakable type, containing the liquid soap or detergent. The bottle 23, which can be carried in the pocket or suspended from the belt of the user of the implement, has a spout 2.4 through which the soap or detergent is forced upon the depression of a plunger 26. A flexible tube 25 has one end attached to the spout 24 and its other end connected by a nipple 27 to the end of the tube 1S. This arrangement is such that whenever the user of the implement wishes to charge the sponge or the surface on which it is operating, with soap or detergent, depression of the plunger 26 will -force the soap through the hose or tube 118 and through the tube 15 and out of the spray hole 16 to reach the sponge and the surface being cleaned. As a substitute for the plunger type of spray bottle shown at 23, a plastic compressible squeeze bottle might be used.

The swab 3 consists of a block of rubber, cellulose or natural sponge or other suitable material of a porous and absorbent nature, or as a substitute therefor a brush might be used. Therefore, when herein 4referring to the swab as a sponge it is to be understood that other equivalents lare meant. In the form shown, the block of sponge 8 has a plate 30 attached to its upper face by being adhesively or otherwise attached thereto, said pl-ate being preferably, but not necessarily, composed of stili plastic. The plate 30- is provided with a central, longitudinal slot 31 registering with la similar slot 32 extending through the block of sponge, the two registered slots 3l and 32 exposing the spray holes 6 and 16 substantially as shown in FIGS. 2 land 7, when the sponge is mounted in the head 1.

The shape and size of the plate 30 and the sponge block 8 attached thereto are such as to enable the swab thus formed to be accommodated within the skirt or ilange 3 of the head as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. The means for holding the swab attached to the head includes a pair of similar clips 33, one of which is clearly shown in FIG. l0. Each clip includes a horizontal plate portion 34 which overlies the top of the plate `30. At one end of the clip there is provided a right-angled ange 3S which iits around and embraces the edge of the plate 3G. At its opposite end the plate portion 34 is directed vertically to provide an upstanding lug or ear 36 provided in its side edges near its base with shoulders 37. An aperture 38 is provided in the ear 36.

The two clips 33 are fitted on the opposite longitudinal edges of the plate 30 in the manner illustrated and when the plate 30 and the attached sponge are fitted in the head l, the ears or lugs 36 of the two clips 33 extend upwardly and in parallelism, through slots 39 and 40 formed in the top plate 2 of the head 1. The shoulders 37 limit the upward extension of the lugs or ears 36 through the slots 39 and 40. Fitted over one edge of each of the slots 39 and 40 is a U-shaped reinforcement 41, loosely mounted in each of the slots.

The handle 42 for the implement consists of a U-shaped section of metallic rod having its legs 43 terminating at their ends in laterally-bent parts 44 which fit through the apertures 38 in the clips. The tendency of the legs 43 of the handle to spread apart maintains the parts 44 in the apertures in the ears 36 and the springiness of the U-shaped reinforcements 41 against which the end portions 44 of the legs 43 Ifrictionally contact, takes up any looseness and causes the swab to be held securely in the head ll.

From the foregoing, the uses and advantages of the described structure will be apparent. The implement can be held 4by the handle 42 during cleaning, wh-ile the other hand of the user holds the sleeve 20. By slight manual flexure imposed on the sleeve 20, its valve 22 will be tilted from its seat and water caused to ow out of the spray holes 6 and into and trough the sponge 8, and such flow can be continued as long as the valve is held open. When soap or detergent is required, depression of the plunger 26 will cause a charge of soap or detergent to be forced out of the spray hole 16 to reach the sponge and the surface being cleaned by it.

The removal and replacement of a swab or sponge is quickly effected by the removal of the handle 42, the ears or lugs 36 being pushed down through the slots 39 and 40, thereby pushing the sponge 8 and its attached plate 30 out of the head 1. The clips 33 are then detached from the Vplate 30 and reitted on the plate of a new swab which is then placed in the head yand the handle attached in the manner herein described.

For the protection of parts or surfaces being cleaned, the outer surface of the flange 3 of the head can be covered by a rubber bead attached to and encircling it, a suggestion of such an arrangement being shown at 55 in FIG. 2. Also, while the plate 30 is shown as being disf posed flatly against the upper surface of a sponge block 8, it can be embedded or countersunk therein substantially as shown at 31a in FIG. 5, whereby a protective cushion edge 56 is provided around the edge of the plate 30.

In the event that a lengthy handle is required for the use of the implement against remotely-positioned surfaces, the handle shown in FIG. 6 may be employed as a quicklyattached substitute for the shorter handle 42. The handle of FIG. 6 consists of a hollow tube 57, flattened at one end as shown at 58 in a manner to cause it to firmly grip the looped end of a U-shaped member 42 and which is fitted in the ears 36 in the manner herein described.

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the device can be used for first directing the water or soap or both against the surface to be cleaned while the head is held slightly spaced away from the surface, and then the sponge is applied against the surface to spread the liquids and clean the surface. The device can also be used while `the sponge is held directly against the surface, and in such case the liquids will contact the surface and then ow into and saturate the sponge.

Having thus described a single embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that the same is not to be restricted thereto, but is broad enough to cover all structures coming within the scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a cleaning implement, a cleaning head of tray formation containing spray Itubes having outlets for the respective ejection of wash water and soap, means for connecting said tubes respectively to sources of soap and water a swab in the form of a porous block, a plate mounted on a face of the block, the plate being slotted, the slot therein being in registration with a slot extending through the block and both slots being aligned with outlets of the spray tubes, the head having spaced-apart slots, ears carried by the plate and projecting through the slots in the head, and a handle having parts extended through fthe ears to thereby attach the handle to the head, with the handle being effective to hold the swab and head together.

2. In a cleaning implement, a spray head and means for connecting the head to sources of soap and water, a sponge fitted in the head and through which the soap and water is directed, a backing plate on the sponge, clips removably fitted on the plate and embracing opposite edges thereof and having ears projecting from them, the head being slotted, the ears projecting from the slots therein, and a handle having parts engaging with the ears at the back of the head.

3. In a cleaning implement as provided for in claim 2, wherein the plate and the sponge are longitudinally and centrally slotted, and spray means having outlets leading into said slot, said spray means being mounted on the head, and means for ejecting water or soap or both through the slots.

4. A cleaning implement comprising, a cleaning head in the form of a shallow tray, a water-spray tube located along the under side of the tray, said tube terminating in a plurality of spray orifices, a soap-spray tube arranged alongside of fthe water-spray tube, `the soap-spray tube terminating in a soap outlet, a plate fitted in the tray, said plate being provided with a pair of upstanding lugs, the tray having slots through which the lugs project, the lugs having openings disposed beyond the top of the tray, a handle having oli-set ends entering the openings to thereby attach the handle to the tray, a swab attached to the plate, registered openings provided through the plate and through the swab, said openings being aligned with the water and soap-spray outlets, and a dual-passage hose having one of its passages attached to the water-spray tube and its other passage attached to the soap-spray tube, and means for coupling a source of soap supply to the latter passage.

5. In a cleaning implement, as provided for in claim 4, wherein the lugs provided on the plate are located on clips removably attached to the plate and embracing the plate between them, the passage of the hose which attaches to the Water-spray tube having means at one end for coupling it to a source of water supply, and being provided with manually controlled valve means for controlling the water flow through said passage.

6. A cleaning implement comprising, a cleaning head in the form of a tray, a Water-spray tube located along 5 and attached to the under side of lthe tray, said tube terminating in a plurality of spray orices, a soap-spray tube positioned alongside of the Water-spray tube, the soapspray tube terminating in a soap outlet, a plate fitted in the tray, said tray being provided with a pair of slots the plate having removable clips formed with lugs projecting through the slots, the lugs having openings disposed at the back of the tray, a handle having offset ends entering said openings to thereby attach the handle to the tray, a swab attached to the plate and projecting out of the tray, registered slots provided in the plate and swab, said slots being aligned with the water and soap-spray outlets, a dual-passage hose having one of its passages attached to the water-spray tube and its other passage attached to the soap-spray tube, means for coupling a source of soap supply to the latter passage, the soap supply means consisting of a bottle from which the soap is ejected under pressure, and means at the end of the water passage for controlling the flow of Water therethrough.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,501,289 Orndorfr" Mar. 21, 1950 2,508,958 Manville May 23, 1950 2,779,961 Laughlin Feb. 5, 1957 2,790,988 Hamm May 7, 1957 3,070,826 Paterno Jan. 1, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 539,220 Italy Feb. 8, 1956 

2. IN A CLEANING IMPLEMENT, A SPRAY HEAD AND MEANS FOR CONNECTING THE HEAD TO SOURCES OF SOAP AND WATER, A SPONGE FITTED IN THE HEAD AND THROUGH WHICH THE SOAP AND WATER IS DIRECTED, A BACKING PLATE ON THE SPONGE, CLIPS REMOVABLY FITTED ON THE PLATE AND EMBRACING OPPOSITE EDGES THEREOF AND HAVING EARS PROJECTING FROM THEM, THE HEAD BEING SLOTTED, THE EARS PROJECTING FROM THE SLOTS THEREIN, AND A HANDLE HAVING PARTS ENGAGING WITH THE EARS AT THE BACK OF THE HEAD. 